Weekend fun!

We've had a busy few weeks in May...that's why I've been slower than usual getting up my posts. Some of our highlights from fun weekends include:

• Hosting NFL Draft Day! We invited about 10 co-workers over to watch the NFL draft (OK, so the guys watched the draft, the girls just chatted!). Such fun to host everyone and meet some new people that have recently started working at the office.
• We finally made it to the Barnes Foundation. This has been on our list since we moved out here. It's a museum of a local man's collection of mostly post-impressionist works and includes 181 Renoir paintings - more than any other collection in the world! It lived up to the hype and then some.
• We followed that up with a visit to Pizzeria Vetri. It's a local new pizzeria that's gotten national acclaim...and we can see why! Delish!
• That same weekend, there was a fine art festival at Rittenhouse Square, so we were able to wander and view some really beautiful artwork from artists all over the country. Afterward, we met up with a co-worker for a beer. We've had a really fabulous time getting to know more co-workers lately.
• Pool day! We had a couple days go over 80 degrees, and our apartment opened the pool area early so we could soak up the sunshine!

The following weekend, we met up with some different co-workers and went back to the Tired Hands brewery that is nearby. It was fun to show some locals our favorite hot spots...and now we have a pretty extensive list of other new places to try!

That weekend we also made it to the Italian Market Festival with our friend Jenna. We missed out last year and couldn't wait to go when the dates were announced this year. The Italian Market in South Philly closes down for the weekend and there are thousands of people (literally - they were expecting 70,000 visitors this year!) that come to walk around, listen to music, eat some amazing food, and shop in the area. We ate some awesome food there (tomato pie, sausages, Mexican street corn, and gelato/pizzelle sandwiches, to name just a few) and ended up bringing home locally made honey and pomegranate balsamic vinegar that I can't wait to try!

We FINALLY got to see Geno's and Pat's, but we didn't stop for food because we had such amazing food at the festival! Not the case for all those people in line though...every time we walked by the lines were down the block to get a cheesesteak.

Pina Coladas! These babies made us so many friends with other people asking where we got them. They were a hit!

Our favorite Rocky shirt vendor/impersonator, who we always see outside the art museum steps was there hawking his wares...so appropriate for the day!

Cape Cod

Once the flood waters receded here, we drove north to meet up with Mom, Dad, and Brie in Cape Cod! It was a fabulous weekend. I can't believe how beautiful the Cape is - and visiting in early May meant few crowds and empty beaches. It was perfect!

Ferry ride!

We stayed in Falmouth, but were able to drive all over the Cape. Full day #1 was Martha's Vineyard after a stop at the NOAA aquarium. Funny thing is that Mike and I didn't have a chance to research prior to the trip, so we were both looking for grape vines! Yup, none of those, and it's definitely a lot bigger than we expected. The ferry ride over was spectacular, and then we actually rented a car for the day and drove most of the island. We had one of the best lobster rolls ever on a pier overlooking the fishing boats in Menemsha. And we found out after the fact it was the same beach where the opening scene of Jaws takes place. Anyone up for a swim?? We also checked out the amazing gingerbread homes, did some shopping, and had some great food.

Pretty good view for lunch!

We saw so many beautiful lighthouses.

Gingerbread houses

After dinner at the Black Dog

Day #2 was Provincetown way up at the tip of the Cape. What an amazing little town! Mike and I had to check out every art gallery - and everyone came home with some purchase. On the way to and from we stopped at some amazing beaches and lighthouses. And it made it really special to be there in the off season when there was no one else there - incredible!

After seeing this exterior, we had to go in for drinks and Mike's first try at raw oyster and clam.

One of my favorites - Mike caught a couple pictures of the 3 of us all in the exact same pose...apples don't fall far from the tree, Mom!

Day #3 was Hyannis and Hyannis Port. There's some pretty amazing shore homes and we had to search out the Kennedy compound. Pretty sure we found the back entrance! Everyone surprised me with an early birthday celebration too - what fun to all be together!
 

Another amazing beach scene

Mike also blogged about our trip. Check it out HERE. 

It was bound to happen...

With two bespectacled parents and one sister, I was the final Perell holdout on full time glasses. Apparently my eyes have given in to the inevitable...

Flood Update

It's been a while - we've been having fun! First off, an update on our flood...we did flood quite seriously but nothing damaging for us. The flood stage around us is 13 feet, and the river peaked near 21 feet. Our apartment complex became an island around midnight and we actually had a 2 AM announcement that we could voluntarily evacuate with the police on boats (to where, I'm unsure - we stayed put since we had electricity). We both worked from home on Thursday, and the river receded enough by noon for most of the roads to open. A few cars had water damage, but we were lucky that ours were safe and dry. It sure did make for an interesting night!

Around 11:30 on Wednesday night: still walk-able on the sidewalks, but not drive-able

Good morning River!

The main road and train tracks on the opposite side of our complex from the river

These cars didn't fare so well...

Our garages flooded a few feet - all cars were out - and our elevator was broken down for about a week due to repairs. Living on the top floor = good workouts!

Surveying the damage on Thursday morning - we're looking ahead at what is usually the boat ramp. No ramp needed today!